Shrine Circus brings clowns, acrobats to town

The Shrine Circus may have lions, tigers and bears, but the act most kids remember? The clowns, says circus director Mark Cantrell.

“It’s the most exciting of any clown act out there,” he said. “The kids just love when the clowns come out.”

The circus, now in its 48th year, comes to the Columbus Civic Center this weekend. The three-ring circus features 22 different acts in two hours.

“It’s nice, clean family entertainment,” Cantrell said, in addition to being the largest fundraiser for the Columbus-Fort Benning Shrine Club. The organization has raised more than $100,000 over the past three years.

This year, Cantrell and fellow Shriners gave away 60,000 free tickets to elementary school students in 19 different counties.

“We send thousands of children who may not have a chance to come to the circus,” he said.

The show is a little bit different each year, Cantrell said. Past acts have included dancing bears and a performer who shot herself out of a cannon. This year, acts could include clowns, trick motorcycles, acrobats and plenty of animal acts -- tigers, bears, lions and elephants.

“Thousands of children are seeing animals that they wouldn’t get to see up close,” Cantrell said, adding that he’s a fan of the high wire acts and the elephants.

“I like the young ladies on the high wire and I always enjoy seeing the elephants. They’re funny and they’re beautiful animals.”

Tickets can be purchased at the Civic Center box office or at a variety of locations around town. Children that attend the circus dressed up as clowns will be entered into a drawing to win a bicycle.

Proceeds from the circus go to the Shriner’s Transportation fund and the Shriner’s Hospital.

This story was originally published September 15, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Shrine Circus brings clowns, acrobats to town."